Community comes together at prayer vigil for missing Monroe County woman

Dozens of family and friends came together at a prayer vigil for Dana Smithers held at Christian Life Assembly Tuesday night, where the community provided solace while calling for the safe return of the missing woman.

The crowd of Smithers' loved ones congregated in the front lot of the Stroudsburg church in the early evening to share a sense of unity and comfort during a trying and uncertain time through prayer and fellowship.

Tara Cioni, a neighbor and friend who has known Smithers for years, helped to organize the event for Smithers, who has been missing since May 28, 2022 when she was last seen leaving a friend's home.

Related:Monroe County woman's disappearance leaves friends, family baffled

"I feel like the community and our family and friends needed a sense of hope and belonging, so I chose to contact my pastor and have us come together and pray for some healing and peace," Cioni said, adding that it warmed everyone's hearts to see the support for Smithers.

Pastor Craig Johnson led the vigil with intermittent prayer sessions throughout the evening, requesting guidance and comfort for Smithers's family and friends.

"Father, we thank you for who you are. We just pray that tonight, you would be upon this time in our prayers, our focus, and our attention. Father, in our unanswered questions and our concern, I just pray that you would comfort each and every heart, and that you be with us tonight. In Jesus's name, amen," Pastor Johnson said.

Friends spoke highly of Smithers, well-known for her penchant for being boisterous; the biggest personality in the room.

Karen Cruz, who knew her from several tanning salons she had worked at— "and we all know she liked to tan"—reminisced about the times that her friend would drop by at work, even if "sometimes she would drive me nuts, show up at the last minute and want to stand there and talk forever."

"I would do anything to have her there, just to spend time with. And I miss her. I just wish that we would find out answers and bring her home, because her family needs her, her friends need her, and this isn't right," Karen Cruz said.

Smithers' family expressed gratitude for the crowd and their dedication to helping console one another while also raising awareness of their missing loved one.

"I want to thank you all for coming out. My sister is such a special person, and she's misunderstood sometimes, but I really appreciate everyone that has come out for her. And if we can just pray hard enough, maybe she'll come home," Dana's sister, Stacey Smithers, said.

"I just wanted to thank everyone for coming out tonight. I could say a lot; I really don't have too much to say without getting upset. You know, it's my mom, and we want her home. Thank you guys again for coming out. I really, genuinely appreciate you guys," Dana's son, Ryan Smithers said.

Despite the efforts of law enforcement officials and community members searching and posting missing person flyers across the region, there have been no reports of leads in the case as of Thursday.

"I miss her laugh, and I just want us to come together and really bring her home, just so we can have a little bit of of healing and peace. She's a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister and a really good friend, and I miss her," Cioni said.

Those with any information concerning Smithers are encouraged to contact Stroud Area Regional Police at 570-421-6800.